Book Review: A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene

*I received a digital ARC on NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: A Crown so Silver
Author: Lyra Selene
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
ISBN: 9780316564984

Synopsis:
After her sacrifice on the Ember Moon, Fia is flush with powerful magic and eager to rush into battle against her murderous sister, Eala. However, Fia’s new husband Irian suggests they bide their time and retreat to the Silver Isle, a snowy island at the edge of the fae world.
Ruled by the cunning smith-king, the Silver Isle proves far from a safe haven. Fia and Irian become embroiled in the Tournament of Kings competing for a magical forging of immense power. Their relationship will be put to the test as they navigate their conflicting motivations, shifting allegiances, and ancient magic. With the end of the tournament looming and Eala’s threat growing, Fia must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to defeat her sister.

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This second book after A Feather So Black continues the journey of the changeling and now Heart of the Forest, Fia, and her now husband Irian as they adventure to discover a way to break their bonds to their Treasures and break the death sentence that occurs after their thirteen-year term as ruler of the Treasure. Their journey takes them to the Silver Isle where the smith-king, forger of the treasure, hosts a great tournament where the winner may ask for one single wish. In hopes of finding freedom, each in their own way, Fia and Irian take on this challenge in the face of uncertainty in the shadow of Fia’s sister’s own rising power.

This world continues to expand and grow in beautiful, ethereal depictions. There is magic everywhere and though I am not an expert in fae mythology, Selene’s writing evokes a sense of the mysterious and otherworldly as her characters are tied into a power older than time itself. It’s a beautiful exploration of what fae are and what their powers can do. With every passing chapter, the capabilities of this world become more expansive and intriguing.

In the second book, more characters are introduced, new ties are forged, and new deceptions occur. There is no telling who might betray whom, and who will succeed in the end. Great powers are at work, more vast than even the characters themselves understand , and it’s all building to what I expect will be an explosive next book. We don’t see a ton of the tournament first hand because Fia herself is absent much of the time and the story follows her perilous and exciting journey, but what we do get to see, and what we hear second-hand, is riveting and cut-throat. The challenges are deadly and murderous and I can imagine it would make for a really excellent television series.

My only gripe with this second book is Fia’s own behaviour, and I think I had a similar issue in book one. I do love that she faces challenge after challenge, that she wears her emotions on her sleeve and they get her into a lot of trouble, and that she goes against all rules and guidelines set in place to protect her. She’s feisty, and she’s a rule breaker. What got to me in this book is her perception of Irian’s treatment of her. Fia tells the reader that he is being controlling and not allowing her to be herself, and it’s in the name of protecting her but she cannot stand it. I, personally, did not perceive this behaviour in Irian at all. To me he seemed compassionate, loving, and worried, as much as any person in a devoted and committed relationship would be. I believe it was meant to drive additional drama in the relationship, and it gave Fia a bit of freedom to explore herself outside of their relationship, but it bothered me a bit how she blamed him for loving her and treated him quite poorly for no real reason.

Overall though, the story continues to be a winner. I don’t know how popular of a series’s this is, but I believe everyone should read it. It makes me yearn for Scotland in its mysticism and magic and it’s so easy to place myself in this magical world. Selene’s writing is beautiful and will transport you to another world entirely. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out. It’s a wonderful and more traditional depiction of fae, but you won’t be disappointed.

Happy reading!